[Greens-Media] QLd Greens media release: Greens call for Queensland women to have a voice in parliament

[Qld Greens Media]

*QLD GREENS*

*MEDIA RELEASE*

*Wednesday 30 August 2006
*

*Greens call for Queensland women to have a voice in parliament*

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle will be in Brisbane today to join with local 
Greens candidates calling for reproductive rights for Queensland women.
The Greens are calling for Queensland women to have a voice in 
parliament, something they currently believe to be absent.
Greens lead spokesperson, Juanita Wheeler said that despite having women 
in the parliament, the issue of women’s reproductive rights was not 
being addressed by the Queensland Government.
“Women’s reproductive rights are a critical issue for Queensland women, 
and yet there is only silence on this issue from Queensland’s elected 
parliamentarians,” Ms Wheeler said.
Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, who has been a vocal supporter of women’s 
rights in the Federal Parliament and in Queensland said the recent cross 
party support for women's reproductive rights in the federal parliament 
should be replicated at the state level.
“Other parliamentarians and candidates should join The Greens in 
supporting women’s reproductive rights in Queensland,” Senator Nettle said.
“Women’s rights, including their reproductive rights are fundamental to 
a healthy society,”
The Greens are calling for the Queensland Government to take a range of 
steps, including:

    *

      Removing abortion laws from the Queensland Criminal Code (ie
      repeal sections 224, 225 and 226); and

    *

      Placing any laws relating to abortion in the Health Act.

    *

      Government funding for a 24-hour pro-choice pregnancy counselling
      service that provides counselling, information and referral on all
      unplanned pregnancy options.

    *

      Support and encouragement for Queensland Health employed doctors
      to apply to become authorised prescriber's of RU486; and

    *

      Assisting these doctors to access supplies of the drug and proper
      training and information on its use.

    *

      Improved teacher training and services in sex eduction,
      particularly for teachers in rural, regional and remote areas.

    *

      Compulsory Sexual Relationship and Sexual Health Education to be
      delivered in a consistent way to all schools, and not subject to
      the direction of individual school principals.

    *

      Greens Senator Kerry Nettle will be outside the Queensland Law
      Courts in George Street from 10:00am.

*-ENDS-*


For further information please contact:

Juanita Wheeler

Candidate for Mount Coot-tha

Spokesperson, Queensland Greens


  Mobile: 0402 487 110


-- 
www.qld.greens.org.au

State election Spokesperson. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110

Queensland Greens media spokespeople.

Climate Change and Indigenous. Drew Hutton 0428 487 110
Human Rights and Environment. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
Transport and Planning. Greg George 0424 725 719

Queensland Greens campaign coordinator.
Ian Gittus 0422 542 370

Office 3846 0862
fax 3844 4654

www.qld.greens.org.au